‘Russian lover’ MP Mike Hancock in new row over sordid sex texts

A LIBERAL Democrat who was embroiled in a controversy over his relationship with an alleged Russian spy faces a new inquiry into his private life after a constituent has complained he sent her “sexy” texts.

Katia Zatuliveter, who was accused of spying by MI5, had an affair with Mike Hancock MP []

Mike Hancock, MP for Portsmouth South, is accused of sending the texts to a 38-year-old single mother in 2010, causing her emotional distress.

She says she met him when she went to see him at his Hampshire surgery because she was having ­problems with neighbours and wanted to move.

Mr Hancock is also a cabinet member of the city council, which is run by Liberal Democrats.

The woman, who has mental health problems, alleged that after this Mr ­Hancock made surprise visits to her home and wanted sex. She refused.

Her lawyer Harriet Wistrich has lodged a complaint at the council, whose own solicitor, Michael Lawther, has asked for an “assessment sub-committee” to examine the claims.

The Sunday Express understands that texts from Mr Hancock to the woman, who remains anonymous ­because of her mental health history, will be presented to the committee.

I’m not in the mood to talk about this at the moment

Mike Hancock

One reads: “Please look after yourself...you are special and sexy to me xxx.”

Another asks: “Hi how r u today...thinking as always of you and missing you...xxx.”

Mr Hancock, 66, whose wife Jacqueline is also a Lib Dem councillor, allegedly took the woman to dinner and gave her gifts including perfume, clothes...and a teddy bear named after him.

The MP, who was made a CBE, is recovering from heart bypass surgery and has just attended his mother’s funeral. He told The Sunday ­Express this week: “I’m not in the mood to talk about this at the moment.” As a result, Mr Lawther believes the meeting may not happen until the New Year.

He added: “We can’t comment on the nature of the complaint at this stage.”

The Hampshire MP has been under pressure for months over his relationship with ­one of his former aides, Katia Zatuliveter, 27, who had lived in Britain for five years.

She admitted having an affair with Mr Hancock but denied ­being a Russian spy.

MI5 demanded her deportation over suspicions she had transferred top ­secret information to an intelligence agent, referred to as “Boris” at court hearings, operating under diplomatic cover from the Russian embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens.

An immigration appeals commission dismissed the charge and allowed her to stay. She is now back in Russia.

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